KENT'S Mel Clewlow was among the scorers as England's women won their first senior tournament for 10 years. The Canterbury captain and her team-mate Anna Bennett helped the national side to triumph in the Women's World Cup qualifying tournament in Amiens, France, with a 4-0 win over Russia in the final.

Earlier Bennett had scored in a 2-1 win over Japan in the semi-final. The Japanese, much more resilient than in a 7-1 defeat the last time the teams had met, were ahead at half time through Akemi Kato, but Tina Cullen equalised early in the second half and, soon afterwards, Bennett pounced for the winner when Clewlow's short corner strike rebounded from the goalkeeper's pads.

In the final, Russia dominated the early stages, but four penalty corners put England in control. Slough duo Kate Walsh, in the 15th minute, and Jane Smith, in the 37th, were followed by Clewlow in the 64th and Clifton's Denise Marston-Smith a minute from time.

Clewlow said: "Russia had the better early chances but once you score against them their heads tend to drop. We had already qualified for the World Cup but it's obviously nice to win the gold medals. We won all eight of our matches during the tournament and only conceded four goals so that gives us plenty of confidence."

Canterbury's Frances Houslop, who suffered an ankle injury in the early stages of the tournament, was fit and included in the the squad of 16 for the final, but did not play.